The greatest taboo: Queer identities among afro-canadian males -
Kofi Norsah- Sept 2010 (En) -Membre d'Arc en ciel d'Afrique

INTRODUCTION
Silence is a noticeable feature of the way Black people deal with the idea of  homosexuality in their various communities (Marlon Riggs, 1989). In Native African society, even though same-sex desires and expression have existed for all time, the modern idea of homosexuality is largely a social taboo (Constantine-Simms, Delroy, 2001). Besides, the vast majority of the 54 African states’ penal codes have either criminalized homosexuality or simply kept quiet on the issue of sexual orientation.
Moreover, Diasporic Blacks, such as the Caribbean, have also shown taciturnity on the expression of queer identity in their community. According to Tara Atluri, a researcher at the University of Toronto, this demure over sexual differences does not help in promoting gender equality in the Caribbean culture because “there is a strong correlation between
homophobia, heterosexism and sexism” (Atluri 2001:4). Subsequently, the extreme sexual identity conformity in some black communities can exclude members of the community - who do not confirm to such standards - and perhaps limit their individual self-expression. ... FOLLOW THE LINK

  Pride Parade ,The Black & White Party and Community Day Were Among August's Highlights

Gay Pride Celebration Weekend was held on August 15 & 16 in Montreal. We at African Rainbow aimed to step up hard that weekend, and we totally did!

On Saturday the 15th, it was Community Day on Sainte-Catherine street, and African Rainbow ran a kiosk where a dozen members had volunteered to ensure continuous presence throughout the day. These members were able to spread the word about African Rainbow, its mission, its agenda and activities, by talking to more than 500 passersby and by distributing to them our brand new business cards - with Afro-Caribbean beats in the air. They also managed to promote the Black & White Party and conduct a fundraiser by selling t-shirts bearing the organization’s logo. Like this one? Write us at info@arcencieldafrique.org.

On the 16th, AR made Montreal’s history as being the very first large organization with African and West Indian LGBT’s – all out and proud - to take part in Pride Parade, which Fiesta! was the theme. « Last year I thought to myself: African Rainbow will parade in 2009... and we were only three at the time! », said Vice-President Fabrice Nguena. And shocker: more than thirty people walked behind the organization’s banner, proudly holding flags of various countries in Africa and the Americas. Guys and gals, old and young, people from all walks of life marched and sent hot vibes to the crowd on René-Lévesque. Some folks on the sidewalk even joined the walk! Take a look at photos from these events on our Facebook.

Later on, African Rainbow’s annual fundraiser took place at Alizé Bar with «Black & White» as the theme. This one-of-a-kind event – that is, an Afro-Caribbean LGBT party – has pulled over 150 people who were working their tails off with no restraint to Zouk, Reggae, Kompa, Soukous and Hip Hop, all mixed by DJ Klass in a prejudice-and-bull-free atmosphere. From the ATL to the TO, and from NYC to Montreal, numerous cities were thrown up that evening! For those of you who could not show up, you missed one of the best but not the last gathering. See you all next summer.

To those great moments we’ve lived together, to ourselves and to our future – congrats. To all those who participated in Community Day, who showed their support and marched with us, to everyone out there who heard about us through the media, to those who made the Black & White Party a huge success and to all those who keep sending us feedback and love, we say BRAVO. United we Stand.